What made me start making tea?
My name is Takagi, and I am the representative of Yamewanibachi. In 2018, I moved from Fukuoka to the neighboring city of Yame and started a tea farm, cultivating, processing, and selling tea.
I've always loved expressing myself, and my main goal was to "make people happy." But then something happened that changed my concept of "happiness." After delving deeper into it, I realized that tea making was connected to that , so I started doing it.
"New tea making" for the modern era
We have passed through the era when it was necessary to increase yields with pesticides and chemical fertilizers, but now we live in the present day.
Fertilizer is spread to increase yields → damage from pests occurs → pesticides are spread to protect against pests → microorganisms in the soil die → the soil becomes less fertile because the microorganisms die → the soil becomes less fertile so fertilizer is spread. Agriculture has thrived through this cycle.
However, this cultivation method for the sake of securing yields dilutes the individual taste that is unique to the land. In this day and age when tea culture is declining, the taste is becoming standardized and less interesting, which is leading to an increasing lack of interest in tea. In this light, we believe that there is value in offering new teas that can only be offered in this modern age.
Cultivation brings out the characteristics of the tea plant itself. The amount of sunlight and the quality of the soil can make the tea bitter or give it depth of flavor. We take advantage of the characteristics of the tea and the unique features of this land, and process the tea accordingly.
The new value of tea
"Japanese tea with strong umami and no bitterness" is mainstream these days, but I want people to enjoy the deliciousness and character of tea that goes beyond that. I want to convey the fun that can't be found in convenience or "things that are considered good" through tea. I hope Yame Wanihachi tea will provide an opportunity to think about the modern world .
I would like to present new options that are not bound by current values through Yame Wanihachi tea and our activities. I used to think of tea as my alter ego, but after writing this article, I realized that tea is actually my partner.
We will continue to grow together into a new era.
Representative of "Yame Wanihachi" Ryo Takagi
Originally from Fukuoka City, he discovered agriculture and moved to Wanihachi, Yame City in 2018 to start a tea farm. His goal is to create a new tea that brings out the fundamental "power of nature."
The reality of tea farmers on note
Representative Takagi is currently updating his blog on note about tea production and the reality of rural life.